Have you ever wondered the effects clutter has on children?

I feel that it is safe to say that we all have been guilty of an unorganized space or two in our lives. Let’s take a moment to think about what happens to children when they live in a constant state of clutter? What feelings do the children experience when their environments are out of control? Research says that children exposed to prolonged periods of clutter can suffer devastating consequences that could impede a child’s development. We know that too much stuff of any kind is not good, therefore a well-organized environment is crucial for your child’s ability to effectively play, learn and grow. As a parent of five children, one of the most used places for my family is and was our car. I found that we traveled from one end of the city to the other for all kinds of reasons, sports, meetings, celebrations, pick up or drop off, just to name a few. If your car is used half as much as mine was you know that your car can become a collector of clutter. The car is a great place to get the whole family involved in taking over clutter.

Discuss with your family the importance of a space that looks, smells, and feels safe and organized.

Choose a day to un-clutter the car

Make a task list

Use the 3-bag approach

Does not belong here

Belongs here

Give away or return

Shop or create storage within the space that works

Set a schedule to clean and/or organize as needed

Children deserve and need environments that support healthy development.